Time Management is Self-Management

The second hand never negotiates.

You don’t need more time. You can’t create more time.

Time management isn’t about getting more done. It’s about doing what matters.

Surprising Time Eaters

How much time do you sink into fear? How does taking things personally squander time? How much time does anger steal? Think about the black hole of people-pleasing.

The challenge isn’t the clock. The challenge is self-management.

7 Ways to Waste Time

1. Replay an irritating conversation all afternoon.
2. Micromanage because you’re afraid someone will screw up.
3. Send unnecessary emails because you need reassurance.
4. Avoid a difficult conversation because it feels uncomfortable.
5. Defend yourself when curiosity would serve you better.
6. Worry about things you can’t control.
7. Try to manage other people instead of managing yourself.

It doesn’t help to shorten meetings and waste two hours stewing over something someone said.

Traditional time-management techniques miss the deeper issue.

Manage responses; reclaim your time.

Self-Management is the Second Thing

First, something painful happens. Feelings rush in. You can’t stop them.

Someone criticizes your work. Your schedule goes nuts. A team member disappoints you. Your boss ignores you.

The second thing you do determines how much time you waste.

The first reaction happens. The second response is up to you.

Feelings aren’t the problem. What you do next determines how much time they consume.

This post is inspired by Neal Schore’s new book The 25th Hour.

5 Steps to Own the Second Thing

1. Notice your reaction.
2. Name what you’re feeling.
3. Ask what actually matters.
4. Choose your response.
5. Move forward.

Self-management gives you more time to do what matters.

Don’t try to control the clock. Learn to control yourself.

What emotional reaction wastes the most time for you?

3 Surprising Secrets of Self-Managment